Flyers Alumni History

Flyers chairman Ed Snider brought hockey back to Philadelphia in 1967 and a love affair between city and team was born. One of six expansion teams, the Flyers not only won their division in their first season, but eventually became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup in 1974.

The Flyers Alumni Association (a 501(c)(3) organization) was originally named the Philadelphia Legends. The Association was created in 1984 and continues to grow with membership consisting of national and global former Philadelphia Flyers players. The Alumni can be found playing games around the world and participating in other charitable projects throughout the year.

Through the years, the Flyers Alumni Association has maintained a tradition of giving back to the Delaware Valley community. Charities and community organizations that have been supported in the past include St. John's Hospice, Ronald McDonald House, March of Dimes South Jersey and Junior Achievement of Delaware.

50th Anniversary Alumni Game

Presented by AAA, on January 14, 2017, the Flyers Alumni will celebrate 50 seasons of Philadelphia Flyers hockey with a 50th Anniversary Alumni Game against the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni. Game time will be at 7 p.m. EST.

Proceeds from the game will benefit the charitable and community-based works of the Flyers Alumni Association and Flyers Charities.

2016 Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp

The second annual Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp was held on August 19-22, 2016 in Atlantic City, NJ. This unique event provided adult hockey players with the opportunity to interact with Flyers legends both on and off the ice. Proceeds from Fantasy Camp benefited the Flyers Alumni and Flyers Charities.

This year, the participating Flyers Alumni instructors and tournament included Hockey Hall of Famers Bernie Parent and Mark Howe, along with the likes of Danny Briere and Flyers assistant coach Ian Laperriere. Other participating Alumni included Brad Marsh, Todd "Fridge" Fedoruk, Bob "the Hound" Kelly and Flyers Hall of Famers Brian Propp and Joe Watson.

Rick MacLeish

Center Rick MacLeish played over 800 NHL games on five different clubs in the 70s and 80s. Blessed with a quick wrist shot and natural offensive instincts, he topped the 30-goal mark seven times in 14 big league seasons.

Born in Lindsay, Ontario, MacLeish spent the majority of his junior career with the OHA's Peterborough Petes. The Boston Bruins took him fourth overall in 1970 after notching 101 points and earning a place on the OHA first all-star team. After starting his pro career with the CHL's Oklahoma City Blazers, the young pivot was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in February, 1971. He was promptly given a chance to get his feet wet in the NHL and looked fairly solid in 26 games.

The Flyers opted to start MacLeish in the AHL in 1971-72 before recalling him late in the year. The next season he broke through with 50 goals while playing the power play and taking a regular shift with Gary Dornhoefer and Ross Lonsberry. Over the next two season he continued to produce on offense but was asked to take on penalty killing and defensive responsibility. MacLeish's excellence was a key component on the Flyers' consecutive Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. During the first title run he led all playoff goal scorers with 13 goals and 22 points. Overall, MacLeish was named to play in the 1976, 1977 and 1980 NHL all-star games.

During the late 70s, MacLeish was a top two-way player for Philly. In 1979-80 he scored 31 goals while teaming with Bob Kelly and Dennis Vervegaert. The trio helped the Flyers set an NHL record by going undefeated in 35 straight games and later reach the 1980 Stanley Cup final. In July 1981, the veteran pivot joined the youthful Hartford Whalers. During his last three NHL seasons MacLeish also played in Pittsburgh, did a second tour in Philly and dressed for the Detroit Red Wings before retiring in 1984.